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The Canadian Jewish News confirms plan to continue

Reversal of announcement that 53-year-old newspaper would end forever in June

The Canadian Jewish NewsPhoto: Handout

Marc Weisblott

Published: April 22, 2013 - 12:00 PM

Updated: June 14, 2013 - 4:15 PM

An official announcement from the president of The Canadian Jewish News indicated that the publication has reversed its decision to close pending support from its readership.

“The CJN must make some strategic changes to its business model and the way in which we produce the newspaper,” explained Donald Carr in an update posted on June 14.

“We will need new subscribers and existing subscribers will be asked to accept a higher subscription rate immediately. Advertisers, old and new, must commit to advertise on an ongoing basis. Everything that is required of subscribers, advertisers, guarantors, our staff and the board of directors must come together.”

The newspaper announced on April 22 that it would cease publication after the issue dated June 19.

Now, it will take a break through Aug. 1 in order to relocate its offices “combined with other adjustments we need to make to our operations.”

EARLIER:

The Canadian Jewish News will publish its final print edition on June 20 after its board of directors decided it would rather wind down operations than go bankrupt.

Donald Carr, president of the 53-year-old newspaper — which has separate editions in Toronto and Montreal, a circulation of about 40,000 and a staff of about 50 — explained the decision in a message posted online on Monday.

“I never dreamed that I would be writing this. No nightmare of mine envisioned it.

“For some time, we have known of the ravages that printed newspapers and magazines have been experiencing across the world. The digital age, in which news and commentary are retrieved instantly on smartphones, on computers and on all kinds of new devices, has overtaken the printed word.

“For the most part, the attractions of printed paper are welcome experiences only for an older generation and appear to be destined to be things of the past. Added to this that much of the world believes that news and commentary should be free.”

Later, it was clarified that the decision to close was reached at this time because the CJN still had sufficient enough assets to give its staff adequate severance.

The newspaper was first published on the first day of 1960 but became a non-profit under its current ownership in 1971.

Continued publication in electronic form was mentioned as a likelihood in Carr’s note although any specific plans don’t appear to have been developed yet.

The competing Jewish Tribune — which has claimed a larger readership thanks to free print distribution — continues to be published by owner and advocacy group B’nai Brith Canada.